Answered Prayers

I have always known that prayer is a powerful thing. I have been taught that God always answers prayers, even if it's not the answer I was expecting. Through the years I have seen prayers answered-those of my own and others. It's incredible to pray to God for something so fervently and be given a definite answer.

Many people question why God has decided not to answer their prayer. Over the past few months God has really been teaching me that no prayer goes unnoticed or unanswered. There are times God simply answers "No" or "Not yet". These answers are not because he does not love us or does not want to fulfill our desires, but because he has something better in mind and plans to work it out in a way that is so much better than we can comprehend.

Over the past few months, I have been praying and pleading with God to fulfill a desire. I would plead and beg, and cry; always wondering why God didn't seem to hear my cries. Finally God grabbed a hold of my heart and helped me realize that I needed to trust him. I was asking and expecting God to give me what I asked for, rather than ask Him if it is what I needed at the time.

Although I received a "Not yet" to my request, my incredible God provided me with an opportunity to put my focus on. Tim and I have decided to attend a missions trip to Thailand this coming summer. The opportunity presented itself right when I felt that my prayer would never be answered. After considering it and praying about it, I feel it is something that God wants us to participate in. I can't wait to see what God will do through this missions trip. I'm so excited that although I am still waiting for my prayer to be completely answered, God has placed this opportunity to "hold me over". He truly is a God that supplies all our needs, and sometimes our wants.

Following a Perfect Example

In a recent message, a very influential and profound pastor (my dad :)...haha) used a verse in his sermon and it really stuck out to me. In John 5:30 Jesus says:
"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."

I love that even Jesus acknowledges his need of His Father. What an ultimate example to follow! God's Son demonstrated the respect and honor we should have ourselves, concerning the will of the Lord. It has become extremely evident in the last few weeks of my own life that I am truly incapable of doing anything of my own accord. It is only through the strength and power of God that I am able to accomplish anything worthwhile in my life. Each day I try to think of this statement made by Jesus and remember that I too need to seek the will of my Father.

He is capable of anything and knows exactly what is best for my life. It is my job to seek that will, rather than relying on my own strength. If Jesus was unable to do it without the Father's help, why do I think I will be successful? God's will is so perfect, and is something I simply just have to seek and surrender to.

An Overwhelming Thought

"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God; HE HEARD MY VOICE out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."  Psalm 18:6


I came across this verse today and each time I read it a new flood of tears seems to develop. How amazing to have a God that hears my cries. There are so many unknown things in this life, and so many things that are out of my control. Yet I have a God that hears every call, is impacted by every tear I cry, and wraps his loving arms of comfort around me. It is completely overwhelming to try to understand the love of God. I am so grateful for His love, and always challenged by it. Do I try to love Him as much as I know He loves me??

There are always those times when we get away from God and He feels so far away, but there are also those times when he feels not far, but JUST out of reach. Yet He isn't! He is always there, waiting with open arms. He is always ready to be my comfort, my redeemer, and the mender of my broken heart. Sometimes the hardest thing in life to do (at least for me) is to just let go and surrender it all. His will is always perfect, even when it seems to make no sense to me. Waiting on God's time is always difficult, but through his perfect strength it becomes possible.

Through The Valley

Most of the time I feel extremely fortunate for the life that God has decided to bless me with. I have an amazing family, a loving husband, friends, and enough possessions to satisfy me in this temporary home. Yet days come along that make me feel I have been tossed from the mountain top into the deepest, darkest valley I can imagine. I am hurting for those that I love that are hurting. I am worried about things in my life, that I know I need to give to the Lord. I am discouraged and feeling let down.

I think the main reason the valley is always so depressing is because I know what it's like to be on the mountain. However; even through this storm and uncertain time in life, it is comforting to know that whenever I am here, in the valley, my God is waiting to carry me back up the mountain. There is so much we, as Christians, can learn from going through a hard time. One thing that the Lord has brought to my attention today is that we need to show God's love and kindness to ALL. It sounds so simplistic, and yet it is so difficult. We can't always tell who is hurting and who is not. Many people put up a front, but they need God's love and encouragement.

All I know right now is that no matter what I am facing in this life, I will continue to praise my Savior. He gives and takes away, and His name is Blessed. It's so comforting to have a God that knows each tear I cry and each trial I face. I will continue to worship Him.

"And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm"

Dreams Sometimes Finally Come True

Since I was a little girl, singing has been my greatest passion. I was fortunate enough to marry a guy that is just as passionate as I am about music.
I sing in church, help lead our worship team, but I have always wanted to make my own music.
We have started writing, and have decided to purchase everything we will need for recording. Finally, my dream of making CDs and my own music will come true!! It is a huge blessing and answer to prayer. I am so glad that God gave me talent and I'm beyond excited to continue to use it in a different capacity! =)

Music in Church

I have always known that God can work in mysterious ways. As a Christian, and a pastor's daughter, I have been taught and experienced the mighty way that God can work through unlikely circumstances. But isn't it so easy to forget? Every time I find myself in a valley, I seem to forget how God can turn the horrible into incredible. Recently I have been questioning God on certain things in my life. I constantly wonder why He allows me to face certain things. But it's in those moments of utter despair that I am forced to rely on HIS strength and remember that I may not understand it all, but He has a purpose and a will.

I am honestly concerned for some Christians today. Some have completely forgotten God and only focus on the politics of "church". An issue as innocent as music, can cause more upsets in a congregation than sin that is flamboyantly displayed in other members lives. What has happened to some christians? If they see drums in a church they automatically start to criticize. Yet, they will go to movies that never mention God, listen to the radio (which, believe it or not, uses drums in pretty much every song..lol), and let there families do whatever they please (moral or immoral). Maybe some are never happy, and just like to complain. Or perhaps they feel completely justified in what they are doing, despite the fact that they can't back up their opinion with any type of scripture. Whatever the case or reasoning, it is unfortunately handled in the wrong way.

As a part of a praise and worship team, I can see first hand who is worshiping and who is not. Honestly, it usually encourages me and helps me worship even better. But sometimes, I am more discouraged than anything. Some people refuse to sing because they don't like live instruments being used (which is ridiculous..because their focus should be on worshiping God..but whatever). Some people refuse to sing because we won't sing in their language (even though the Bible says make a joyful noise to the Lord...He never stated what language). And some people are just followers of others and will do whatever they are told. I would love to look out during our worship time and see EVERYONE praising God, rather than receiving dirty looks for doing what I feel God has called me to do.

Perhaps this is one of those unfortunate circumstances that God will use for His glory. There are bigger things to worry about than music in church. There are so many people hurting and in need of God's love. Maybe some of us just need to realize that rather than complaining about music, we should be helping those in need.
 

Our New Addition

some pictures of our newest family member! =)
His name is still to be determined...but we are thinking Monte (Like Monte Cristo).